How to Get a Michigan Hunting License Online

Thanks to the magic of the internet, Michigan hunters no longer have to stand in lines at sporting goods stores or find the closest DNR office to buy a hunting license. With Michigan's digital license process, you can easily purchase a license 24/7 from the comfort of your home.

The state's online hunting license system lets you add your hunter education credentials, purchase, renew, and manage your licenses at any time on a computer or smartphone, so you can prepare for hunts months down the road or make a last-minute decision to chase turkeys on opening morning. 

We'll walk through the step-by-step process for navigating Michigan's online license portal, review the state's requirements for purchasing a license, and take a look at the available license types.

Can I Get a Michigan Hunting License Online?

Yes! Buying an online hunting license in Michigan is easy.

You can purchase any hunting license through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) web-based eLicense portal. You can also get your license through the mobile Hunt Fish app.

Either platform allows you to purchase a new base license, add additional species-specific licenses, and renew licenses from the previous year. You can access a digital copy of your license immediately after purchase. 

Before purchasing your Michigan state hunting license, you'll need to make sure you've completed a mandatory hunter education course. The Michigan DNR system will verify your eligibility, and you will not be able to purchase a Michigan hunting license if a hunter education certificate is missing from your record. 

4 Steps to Purchase a Michigan Online Hunting License

Buying a hunting license for Michigan is a simple process, but you should know what to expect before you pull out your credit card. Follow these four steps to complete your purchase without any hassles or delays. 

Step 1: Complete Hunter Education (If Required)

If you were born on or after January 1, 1960, and you've never had a hunting license, you must complete an approved hunter education course before you can buy a basic license. 

Although Michigan offers in-person courses, many hunters choose to complete their requirements by starting with an online program like ilearntohunt.

To receive your hunter education certificate, you must complete the online program followed by an in-person field day with a Michigan DNR instructor. 

Step 2: Create an Online Account

Once you have met your hunter education requirements, you'll need to create an account with the eLicense system to buy an online hunting license. You can create an account through the Michigan DNR eLicense portal or through the Hunt Fish app. 

You'll have to provide your name, address, date of birth, and contact details as part of your user profile. 

If you already have a MiLogin for your driver's license, automobile registration, or state tax returns, you can use that same login information to create your Michigan DNR account. That way, you can use one user ID to connect to all of Michigan's state services.

Step 3: Select and Purchase Your License

After you create an account and log in, you'll need to select the correct type of Michigan hunting license based on your hunting plans and age. Most adult hunters will need a base license, and young hunters ages 10-16 will need a junior base license.

The base or junior base license is the prerequisite to adding any species-specific licenses (such as bear, deer, elk, turkey, or waterfowl) or specialty licenses.

You can use your credit or debit card to make a secure online payment for your hunting license for Michigan. You'll receive a transaction confirmation email with a receipt as proof of purchase.

Step 4: Access and Carry Your License

Once you've purchased your online hunting license, you can use it immediately.

You can print a paper copy or carry a digital version on your phone with the Hunt Fish mobile app. Although the digital copy is convenient, many hunters still carry a paper backup in the field in case their phone fails. 

Who Needs a Hunting License in Michigan?

Anyone who hunts game animals in Michigan must have a valid Michigan state hunting license. This requirement applies to both Michigan residents and nonresidents. 

Exceptions to this rule are extremely limited. Youth under the age of 10 can hunt in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which requires close supervision by a licensed adult.

Some exemptions do exist for specific small game animals or for depredation issues affecting property owners. Still, they are tightly regulated and must be approved in advance by the Michigan DNR.

Note that if you want to hunt bear, deer, elk, turkey, or waterfowl, you'll need to purchase a separate license in addition to your base license. 

Types of Hunting Licenses in Michigan

A Michigan state hunting license is available in several categories to accommodate a diverse hunting population. 

Base Licenses

Hunters age 17 and older must have a base license. Think of this as your entry ticket to Michigan hunting. Holding this license lets you purchase specialty and species-specific licenses. 

A junior base license serves the same function as a base license, but for hunters ages 10–16. This license is offered at a significantly reduced fee to encourage youth participation and also allows the purchase of a junior deer license and other specialty licenses. 

The nonresident base license is ideal for those who live outside of Michigan and want to enjoy the state's varied and challenging hunting traditions. Although nonresident fees are substantially higher than resident licenses, they provide the same hunting privileges. Nonresidents also need this base license before they can purchase any specialty licenses. 

Apprentice License

An apprentice license is an option for first-time hunters over 17 who have not yet completed their hunter education requirements. This license is valid for 12 months and allows a novice hunter to hunt under the guidance of a licensed mentor. 

Mentored Youth Hunting License

The mentored youth hunting license is for youth under 10 or young first-time hunters who want to explore hunting. This license allows the young hunter to be in the field under the close supervision of a licensed adult mentor who provides constant oversight and is within arm's reach at all times. 

Specialty and Combination Licenses

Specialty and combo licenses are also available for antlerless deer, harvesting up to two deer (based on hunt unit), and waterfowl. If you purchase a Michigan waterfowl license, you will still need to purchase a federal duck stamp and enroll in the mandatory Harvest Information Program (HIP). 

Fur Harvester

A fur harvester license is required if you intend to trap furbearers such as badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, marten, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, and weasel. Note that each species has a specific season and bag limit, and there are extra regulations for bobcat, fisher, and otter.

Additional permits and endorsements include species-specific licenses for deer, turkey (spring and fall), bear, elk, and antlerless deer. You must have the base license before purchasing these add-ons.

Do I Need Hunter Education in Michigan?

If you were born before January 1, 1960, you do not need to complete a hunter education course. However, anyone born on or after January 1, 1960, must complete a hunter safety course before purchasing an online hunting license in Michigan. 

This education requirement ensures that hunters have received formal safety training before pursuing game in the field, whether independently or in groups. 

A Michigan DNR-approved course will cover topics such as state hunting laws, firearm safety, field scenarios, optimal shot placement, conservation, processing fundamentals, and hunting ethics. 

Again, in Michigan, you can choose between an in-person class and an online course. If you take the online course, you must complete a mandatory in-person field day with an approved Michigan DNR instructor before receiving a hunter education certificate. The hunter education certificate bears a unique number that you'll use to purchase a base license. 

New or young hunters 10 years or older in the Mentored Youth or Apprentice License Programs are exempt from completing the hunter education requirement. 

Get Your Michigan Hunter Education with ilearntohunt

Michigan's online hunting license system is convenient, allowing you to easily manage your entire hunting profile and requirements from a computer or smartphone.

If you still need to complete your hunter education, ilearntohunt is the most convenient way to get started! When combined with the mandatory in-person field session, our Michigan-approved course fulfills the state's hunter education requirement, helping you earn your hunter education certificate and get started on exciting hunts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about how to get a Michigan hunting license online.

Q: Can I get a Michigan hunting license online?

A: Yes, you can purchase a Michigan hunting license online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.

Q: How much does it cost to get your hunting license in Michigan?

A: Costs vary by age and license type. A standard resident small game license is around $17, while additional tags or non-resident licenses are higher.

Q: Can I hunt on my own land without a license in Michigan?

A: No, you generally need a valid hunting license to hunt in Michigan, even on your own property, though there are some exemptions for minors or certain small game.

Q: Does Walmart sell hunting licenses in Michigan?

A: Yes, many Walmart locations in Michigan can sell hunting licenses in partnership with the state.